Details

Things are changing fast in the world of mountain biking. What was once considered "long and slack" is now considered "short and steep" in many riders' eyes. With new school geometry pushing top tube length out, slackening head tube angle, and lowering BB height, it's clear that the "long and slack" trend is taking over. While the previous Ripley was no slouch, it was built fairly conservatively, and was falling behind geometry trends for the riders who prioritize descending capabilities. The age 29'ers has officially returned, and Ibis answers that call with the all-new revamped Ripley and Ripley LS. Both of these models include many improvements, such as revised internal cable routing, improved eccentrics and more tire clearance. However, the real excitement lies in the geometries, as Ibis has released this bike in two different versions. The Ripley LS (long and slack) is exactly that - it's the new school Ripley with a longer top tube and slacker head angle - aggressive trail riders take note, this is the Ripley for you. If you're still on the fence about longer top tubes and slacker angles, not to worry, the regular Ripley still has all the new bells and whistles, but with geometry more similar to the 1st generation Ripley.

Which Ripley is for you? Both bikes will be great, but one will likely suit your riding style better than the other, depending on what you're looking for in a bike. The 67.5° head angle on the Ripley LS is a fair bit slacker than the standard Ripley's 69.2° head angle, which will make the bike feel quite a bit more comfortable on technical/steeper descents. The LS is also sporting a longer wheelbase and longer front-to-center, providing an in-the-bike feel as opposed to an on-the-bike feel. Keep in mind, longer wheel base and slacker angles tend to make the bike feel a bit more sluggish at low speeds and/or on climbs. For those prioritizing the descent and confidence on technical terrain, look no further than the LS - this bike will excel when things get nasty. If you're prioritizing the climbing performance, and frequently find yourself on epic all-day rides with huge climbs, then the standard Ripley will likely be your best bet.

Sizing is also an important consideration with these two bikes, and it's important to note that both models don't come in all sizes. Ibis has done away with the traditional small Ripley, and spanned the two models across the rest of the medium through XL sizes. Both models are available in medium and large, while XL is only available in the LS. We recommend studying the geometry charts below to insure you're getting the right fit.

Aside from geometry, the Ripley has also received several new refinements. Cable routing has been completely reworked, with internal routing all around. It uses the same porting system as the Mojo HD3, adaptable to just about any configuration of derailleurs and dropper posts. Ibis has increase tire clearance on the Ripley to accommodate most 2.35" tires. Ibis also took into account the trend of wider rims, which they have fully supported with their 41mm-width 942 wheelsets and rims. When mounted up to a super wide rim, the profile of a tire will increase, meaning you'll need additional clearance in the frame. Ibis has insured that even a 2.35" tire mounted to their 942 wheel will still clear on the Ripley.

The release of the new Ripley falls right in line with the new Boost 148 axle standard, which is what comes stock on this frame. Ibis didn't want to leave out the 12x142mm crowd though, so there is a 12x142mm swingarm available upon request. Geometry remains the same regardless of which standard you choose. Speaking of standards, Ibis also opted to go back to the tried-and-true threaded BB shell, a change we're happy to see. There's too much variation with press-fit BB's, which can often lead to unwanted creaks.

Building upon Ibis' success with their eccentric dw-link pivot system, Ibis has made some tweaks and refinements. Ibis stiffened the system by increasing carbon material around the eccentrics, and beefing up the main pivot bolts to allow for higher torque. All in all, torsional stiffness is said to be about 12% higher than the previous Ripley. The eccentric system has allowed Ibis to build the Ripley with short chainstays, giving more room in the tight area around the rear tire and front derailleur. Though the linkages are relatively small and tightly positioned, the system is still incredibly stiff which is critical for the larger loads of the big wheels. Ibis has altered front derailleur placement, insuring that it is compatible with Shimano's latest side-swing front derailleurs.